Recalling its resolution 1997/8 of 22 August 1997,

Affirming that female genital mutilation is a cultural practice which profoundly affects the physical and mental health of the girl child and of the women who are its victims,

Recalling that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, in its article 5, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, in its article 7, proclaim that no one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment,

Taking note with appreciation of the second report on the situation regarding the elimination of traditional practices affecting the health of women and the girl child by the Special Rapporteur, Ms. Halima Embarek Warzazi

(E/CN.4/Sub.2/1998/11), the poor response to her inquiries as well as the lack of appropriate resources to effectively carry out her mandate to follow up and monitor developments,

Sharing the Special Rapporteur's deep concern for the situation in many countries where harmful traditional practices prevail,

Regretting the inadequate response from Governments in respect of the Plan of Action adopted by the Sub-Commission (E/CN.4/Sub.2/1994/10/Add.1 and Corr.1),

Emphasizing the centrality of the Plan of Action to the eradication of harmful traditional practices and the relevance of the conclusions reached at the regional seminars held in Burkina Faso (E/CN.4/Sub.2/1991/48) and Sri Lanka in 1994 (E/CN.4/Sub.2/1994/10/Add.1 and Corr.1),

Recalling the leading role taken by the Sub-Commission on the issue of harmful traditional practices by its resolution 1983/1 of 31 August 1983 which began the process of drawing world attention to the problems raised by some traditional practices affecting the health of women and the girl child at a time when the subject was considered taboo and barely treated seriously within the public domain,

Noting the report of the meeting of special rapporteurs/representatives, experts and chairpersons of working groups of the special procedures of the Commission on Human Rights and of the advisory services programme (E/CN.4/1999/3, annex) which, inter alia, highlights the need for enhanced cooperation on the part of all actors to ensure dissemination of the recommendations of the special rapporteurs to a wider audience, especially within other departments and agencies of the United Nations, and to assist in encouraging States to implement the recommendations fully,

Expressing its satisfaction for the progress realized in certain countries in the elimination of harmful traditional practices such as female genital mutilation and encourages the Governments concerned to sustain their efforts in this field,

Noting with satisfaction General Assembly resolution 52/99 of 12 December 1997 in which the Assembly decided to invite the Commission on Human Rights to address the issue at its fifty-fourth session and to request the Secretary-General to report to the General Assembly at its fifty-third session on the implementation of the resolution,

1. Appeals to all States concerned to intensify efforts to develop awareness of and mobilize national public opinion concerning the harmful effects of the practice of female genital mutilation, in particular through education, information and training, in order to achieve its total elimination;

2. Appeals to the international community to provide material, technical and financial support to the non-governmental organizations and groups working with dedication to achieve the total elimination of this cultural practice which is harmful to girl children and women;

3. Commends the intergovernmental organizations concerned for the important contribution they are making to the efforts to eliminate harmful traditional practices and invites them to continue their activities aimed at supporting and strengthening the efforts being made by national and local organizations engaged in this struggle;

4. Calls upon all States to give their full attention to the implementation of the Plan of Action and requests the Secretary-General to invite them to submit to the Sub-Commission regular information on the situation regarding traditional practices in their country;

5. Recommends that the mandate of the Special Rapporteur be extended to ensure the completion of her task as called for in its resolution 1996/19 of 19 August 1996 and at the same time to enable her to follow up recent developments at all levels, including the General Assembly;

6. Recommends that adequate administrative services be provided to ensure that the work required of the Special Rapporteur can take place with a reasonable chance for success;

7. Recommends that the High Commissioner for Human Rights recognize that the issue of traditional practices is a matter for both research and programme activities;

8. Recommends that appropriate resources be made available to allow the Special Rapporteur to adequately follow up progress relating to the implementation of the Plan of Action on the elimination of traditional practices affecting the health of women and children;

9. Requests the Special Rapporteur to submit her report on the follow-up to the implementation of the Plan of Action to the Sub-Commission at its fifty-first session;

10. Decides to continue its consideration of this question at its fifty-first session under the same agenda item;

11. Recommends the following draft decision to the Commission on Human Rights for adoption:

"The Commission on Human Rights, taking note of Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities resolution 1998/16 of 21 August 1998, approves the recommendation of the Sub-Commission that the mandate of Ms. Halima Embarek Warzazi as Special Rapporteur on traditional practices affecting the health of women and the girl child be extended to ensure the completion of her task as called for in Sub-Commission resolution 1996/19 of 19 August 1996. The Commission also approves the recommendation that adequate administrative services be provided to the Special Rapporteur, as well as appropriate resources to allow her to follow up progress relating to the implementation of the Plan of Action on the elimination of traditional practices affecting the health of women and children."

29th meeting
21 August 1998
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. VI.]